Viola Marie (Bodtke) Fangmeier

Obit Viola M. Fangmeier

Hebron Memorial 402-768-6165

Viola Fangmeier the daughter of Fred W. and Elizabeth (Pabst)Bodtke was born April 18, 1917 on her grandfather’s farm southwest of Gilead, Nebraska. She died Saturday April 23, 2005 at Blue Valley Lutheran Nursing Home in Hebron, Nebraska at the age of 88 years and 5 days.

Viola attended District 81 country school through 8th grade and graduated from Gilead High School with the class of 1936. She then attended the Hebron Academy graduating in 1938. She loved to sing in the choir and play tennis in college. Viola then returned home to farm with her father. She is proud that she often drove the tractor. She then went to Lincoln to live with a cousin while she worked in a floral shop.

Viola met her husband Herman at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gilead. They were married September 29, 1940 at St. Paul’s and blessed with four children. They had a big wedding reception in the town hall. The couple actually never retired because they considered working their “fun”.

Viola was the oldest active member of St. Paul’s Ladies Aid, sang in the church choir, and belonged to GRH club for many years. She volunteered mending at the nursing home, volunteered at “things and stuff”, loved to garden and raise flowers, and playing cards. Viola thoroughly enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Viola is preceded in death by her husband Herman, brother Clarence, sister Evelyn, one infant daughter and son Ronald.

Viola is survived by two sons Charles and wife Katholene of Hebron, NE. and Keith of Houston, TX one daughter Nancy Harms and husband Gilbert of Fairbury, NE one sister Lucile Bock and husband Ralph of Beatrice, NE. 11 grandchildren Todd Fangmeier and wife Crystal, Scott Fangmeier and wife Kristy, Mark Fangmeier and wife Jodie all of Hebron.

Charlene Cordle and husband Troy of Garland, NE Richard, Clark, Will, Kevin Fangmeier all of Houston, TX Heidi Miller and husband Jerry of Fairbury, NE Holly Wardell and husband Jack of South Sioux City, NE Heather Harms and special friend Clifton Jackman of Pensacola, FL; 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday April, 27, 2005 at 10:00 AM at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Gilead, NE. Pastor Joan Herbon will be officiating. Organist Brenda Striggow, soloist Heather Harms with special selection “In the Garden”. Congregational hymns “Oh Take My Hand Dear Father”, “Amazing Grace”, “Children Of The Heavenly Father”. Casket bearers Alan Bock, Roger Bodtke, Larry Meyer, Todd Fangmeier, Scott Fangmeier, Mark Fangmeier, Jerry Miller, Jack Wardell, Troy Cordle. Honorary casket bearers Richard Fangmeier, Clark Fangmeier, Will Fangmeier, Kevin Fangmeier, Heidi Miller, Holly Wardell, Heather Harms, Charlene Cordle, Crystal Fangmeier, Kristy Fangmeier, Jodie Fangmeier. Interment will be held at St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery rural Gilead, NE. Memorials to Blue Valley Nursing Home, St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Thayer County Hospital. Services conducted by Hebron Memorial Funeral Home, Hebron, NE.

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